Theatrical appliance



Nov. 12, 1929. w. E. MORRISON 4 1,735,352

' THEATRICAL APPLIANCE Filed Aug. 31, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ly. I Inventor W.E .Morrison J Attorney NOV. 12, 1929. w, MORRISON 1,735,352

THEATRICAL APPLIANCE Filed Aug. 31, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 24 Inventor W.E .MOrfZ S OYY I By 24mm Attornqy Nov. 12, 1929. w F. MORRISON 52;

THEATRICAL APPLIANCE Filed Aug. 31. 1928 :s Shuts-Sheet 3 Inventor WI: .MOffiSOfL I wgwmw Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES WEBSTER E. KOBE-150K, OI LUSH, WYOIING THEATRICAL AIPLIANCE Application filed August 31, 1928. Serial 80. 303,276.

The present invention relates to improvements in changeable exhibitors and has reference more particularly to a theatrical applinace for presenting a series of views,

scenes, or the like, which are brought to the view of the spectator in succession.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to providea theatrical appliance of the above mentioned character,

that may be used to illustrate the development of an art, the successive scenes giving for example a panoramic display of the construction and operation of some particular art at different periods during its develop- 16 ment.

A further object is to provide a theatrical appliance of the above mentioned character that includes a cabinet having its front side provided with a window or opening through 20 which the scenes or views may be observed, a curtain being arranged to cover the window or opening, the actuating means for the curtain being operatively associated with the mechanism for changing the scenes.

A further object is to provide a theatrical appliance of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the nature of the invention proceeds and when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. I

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the theatrical appliance embodying my invention.

' Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the slidable curtains and the actuating means therefor.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device for more clearly disclosing the actuating mechanism for operating the rotatable scene carrier unit, and the pivoted levers for controlling the operation of the curtain.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the rotatable scene carrier un1t.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view through the cabinet.

Fi ure 6 is a detail sectional view, showmg t e disc keyed on the outer end of the shaft that supports the scene carrier unit, and also showing the rollers mounted on the laterally projected pins associated with the disc, and

Figure 7 is a sectional view, taken approximately on the line 7-7 of Fi re 1.

In the drawings, wherein or the purpose I of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a substantially rectangular sha ed cabinet, the front side of which is forme with an enlarged rectangular shaped window or opening 2, in the upper portion thereof, as clearly disclosed in Figures 1 and 5. A ledge 3 extends across the bottom edge of the window oropening to provide amounting for a troughlike reflector 4, positioned over the foot lights 5, the source of current for the foot lights being supplied in any suitable manner.

J ournaled for rotation within the cabinet 1 is the scene carrier unit, designated generally by the reference character 6, and this un1t includes a shaft 7, the ends of which extend through suitable o enings provided therefor in the opposed sidbs of the cabinet and one end of the shaft extends beyond the outer face of the adjacent side of the cabinet and has removably keyed thereon the circular disc 8, as more clearly illustrated in Fig ure 6. The purpose of this disc will be presently described in detail.

The unit 6 further includes the rovision of the blades or wings 9 that exten radially from the shaft 7, and four of such members are provided, as shown in Figure 5, the same being arran ed in pairs, one pair of wings being dispose at right angles with respect to the other pair.

One side of each wing provides a background or scene while the opposite side constitutes a platform or stage for supporting thereon such mechanism as is to be displayed for view. In the present instance, the apparatus is employed to illustrate the development of the washing machine art.

In carrying out this illustration of the development of. the washing machine art, one of the scenes depicts a woman washing clothes in a river, as was the custom in ancient days. The second scene represents a poorly equipped kitchen with the wash woman rubbing the clothes on a washboard, while stooping over a tub supported on a stand. The next scene represents a hamper or still a further development of the washing machine, while the fourth scene is contemplated to represent the latest development in washing machinery. The carrier unit 6 is so constructed as to display only one scene at a time, and the actuating means for the successive display of the various scenes will be presently described in detail.

The invention further comprehends the provision of a curtain rod 10 that extends across the front side of the cabinet above the window openin 2, at the top thereof, and a pair of opposite y movable curtains 11 and 12 are hung on the curtain rod 10. A cable 13 is operatively connected to the curtain 12 as at 14, and this cable or cord 13 is trained over a suitable pulley 15 and is connected at its other end to the intermediate portion of a similar cable or cord 16 as at 17. This cord 16 is fastened at one end to the other curtain 11 and is trained over a pulley 19, and is connected at its other end to the forward'end of a lever 20 that is pivoted, adjacent its rear end on one side of the cabinet 1, in the manner as shown very clearly in Figures 2 and 3. This lever and the cable associated therewith provide a means for closing the window or opening 2, by moving the curtains together to a closed position.

For the purpose of moving the curtains to an open position to uncover the opening or window 2, suitable cables or cords shown generally at 21 are connected to the curtain and to the upper end of a substantially vertically disposed lever 22 that is pivoted adjacent its lower end on the same side of the cabinet as the lever 20. Suitable guide pulleys 23 are provided for the cables and are associated with the lever 22 as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 2. The means for actuating the levers to open and close the curtains willalso be presently described.

A series of laterally extending headed pins 24 have their inner ends threaded into suitable threaded sockets provided therefor in the disc 8 at spaced intervals and a sleeve or roller 25 is mounted on each headed pin, as clearly shown in Figure 6. A driven shaft 26 extends from the side of the cabinet, on which is arranged the levers and the rotatable disc, and carried by the intermediate portion of the driven shaft is the cam 27 that is disposed within the path of the levers 20 and 22 and the sleeved pins 24:. A spur gear 28 is secured on the outer end of the driven shaft for meshing engagement with a pinion 29 that is secured on the intermediate portion of a countenshaft 30, and is journaled for rotation below the driven shaft 26 and a relatively large s ur gear 31 is secured on the outer end of tlie counter shaft.

An electric motor 32 of any conventional construction has a driving pinion 33, secured on the outer end of the. drive shaft of said motor for meshin engagement with the spur gear 31, and t is train of gearing rovides a means for actuating the driven s aft and the cam 27 carried by said driven shaft.

The operation of m improved theatrical appliance may be brie y stated as follows:

When the parts are arranged as shown in the drawings, one of the scenes is positioned so that the same may be viewed througlr'the opening 2 and the curtains 11 and 12 are spaced apart or open.

When the motor 32 is in operation, the gearing will operate the driven shaft 26 and the cam 27 will swing upwardly in the direction of the arrow. When the cam strikes the pivoted end of the lever 20 the forward end of the lever is swung downwardly, whereupon the curtains ll'and 12 are drawn to a closed position over the opening or window 2. The cam upon continuing its rotation engages with the next adjacent pin that extends from the disc 8, causing the carrier unit 6 to rotate, whereupon the next successive scene will be brought into position for dis lay or in alignment with the window 2, an a further movement of the driven shaft causes the cam 27 to disengage the pin of the disc-anll engage with the lower end of the pivoted lever 22, whereupon said lever is actuated to move the curtains apart, and thus permit the spectators to view the next scene. This operation is repeated, so that when the cam 27 makes a complete revolution, the curtain will first be drawn to a closed position, the next scene will be brought into position for view, and finally the curtains are opened.

In this manner, a device will be provided for demonstrating changes made in any particular art, or industry, while as shown in the present instance, the development of a washing machine is depicted, it is to be understood that any other art or industry may be represented, and I do not wish to limit myself to the particular subject that may be taken for demonstration purposes. The simplicity of my improved device enables the same to be readily and easily assembled and operated, and furthermore the same will at all times be positive and eflicient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a

cabinet provided with a window in the front thereof, a changeable exhibitor unit arranged for rotation within the cabinet, said unit including a plurality of individual scenic arrangements adapted to be successively positioned fordisplay through the window, and means for rotating said unit, said means comprising a disc carried by the rotatable unit for disposition on the outside of the cabinet, pins extending laterally from the disc at predetermined ositions, a driven shaft, and a cam carried y the driven shaft for rotation therewith adapted to successively engage said pins, a curtain for the window and means associated with the curtain for cooperation with the cam for moving said curtain to an open and closedposition respectively.

2. In a device of the class described, a cabinet provided with a window in the front thereof, a changeable exhibitor unit arranged for rotation therewith, within the cabinet, saidu11it including a plurality of individual scenic arrangements adapted to be successively positioned for display through the window, and means for rotating said unit, said means comprising a disc carried by the rotatable unit for disposition on the outside of the cabinet, ins extendinglater'ally from the disc at pre etermined positions, a driven shaft, and a cam carried by the driven shaft for rotation therewith adapted to successively engage said pins, a curtain for the window and means associated with the curtain for cooperation with the cam for moving said ourtain to an open and closed position respectively, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivoted levers disposed in the path of movement of said cam, one of the levers being connected with the curtain to close the curtain when the cam engages with and moves said lever, the other lever being connected with the curtain to open the same when engaged by the cam subsequent to the moving of the carrier unit to a further. display position. I testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' WEBSTER E. MORRISON. 

